TEXAS — Falcon International Reservoir is the most important water source for the whole of the Rio Grande Valley and south Texas. But with the water level at historically low levels, there are fears for the future, sparking a diplomatic conflict.
Right on the Rio Grande, Falcon Lake in Zapata county seems to many tourists like the perfect fishing spot.
Alfonso Aguilar and a group of friends from Nuevo León, Mexico, would have agreed until now. The water is so low they struggle to put a boat in the water.
“As soon as you cross the bridge, you see the difference. It used to be so big you couldn’t see the end of it. Now it’s so low it’s shocking,” said Aguilar.
Video taken from above paints an alarming picture. A bridge in Zapata, TX used to go fully over water and now is fully dry. At the Falcon State Park, old trees come out of the water, impeding boats. Extended drought in the region is one reason for the low lake levels. The other is very much political, says International Boundary and Water Commissioner Dr. Maria Elena Giner.
“Mexico delivers water to the United States. 1.75 million acre-feet. They have five years to deliver that. In four years Mexico has delivered one year’s worth of water.”
In 1944, both nations signed a treaty to share the use of the tributaries to the Rio Grande and Colorado rivers. A treaty that for critics has serious flaws and causes today’s water dispute.
“You have very little leverage. Each party can interpret its circumstance as it wishes.” Said Dr. David Eaton, a professor at the University of Texas who studies water policy issues at the border. Giner also laments the lack of enforceability of the treaty. U.S. Representative Monica de la Cruz is requesting sanctions to be imposed on Mexico.
“Mexico’s breach threatens our region’s economy,” she said on the floor in Washington, D.C.
But Mexico is not in breach. The deadline to release the water into falcon lake is Oct. 2025, though that seems unlikely to happen. Mexico recently built six reservoirs along the tributaries that capture the water before it gets to the Rio Grande. Mexico has said these reservoirs are also below capacity, causing them to be unable to meet their obligation.
Garcia, who also fishes in Mexico, says Mexicans pay the price for the reservoirs’ low level too.
“Monterrey is the same, or worse. Water runs out quick. It’s a lot of people.” He said.
A new treaty is being negotiated, but politics have also gotten in the way, as Mexico is holding presidential elections this year.